A garnet red in the glass, the Haden Fig 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley (13.5%) delivered vibrant fruit with an appealing earthiness. On the palate, this bioynamic/organic/sustainable wine offers black fruit flavors balanced with good acidity leading to a long dark cherry finish. One of three debut wines from Erin Nuccio, assistant winemaker at Evesham Wood, this is an Oregon pinot noir crafted in a similar style to that of Russ and Mary Raney. While priced for $24 at the winery, I found it sold for less in various wine shops around Seattle. Time to get some more. P.S. A...

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Posted by Thad W. at 07:08 PM | Permalink

In the glass, the Haden Fig 2008 Chardonnay Willamette Valley (13.5%) was a clear, golden yellow color delivering lemon, citrus, mineral and talc notes. On the palate, this stainless steel fermented chardonnay (20% in new oak) offered bright acidity, citrus flavors, and crisp minerality. On its own, the Haden Fig displayed a slightly bracing dryness, but with the right foods this can be an asset. I am a fan of this style of chardonnay, which is why I enjoy Chablis. At $14, the Haden Fig offers a fantastic QPR and is yet another example of the quality of chardonnay being...

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Posted by Thad W. at 06:30 PM | Permalink